Armed bandits in Zamfara forests have suffered heavy casualties from the Nigeria Airforce (NAF) fighter jets for three days as they face serious bombardments.
The aggressive aerial attacks saw to the killing of 78 bandits and destruction of their camps.
A source close to the operations told select journalists on Friday that it was a huge success on the part of Nigerian government in combating bandits in Northwest region.
“The air offensive operation by the Air component of Operation Hadarin Daji against bandits in the last three days was intense.
The aerial attack focus on high concentration of bandits in the South of DanSadau town and north of Kuyanbana forest reserves in Zamfara.
“Specifically, on 2 August 2021, Nigerian Air Force (NAF) surveillance platforms overhead these locations locked on armed bandits on bikes moving into Kuyanbana Forest Reserves. Diligent tracking of their movement led the platforms to extensive and well-concealed camps with numerous huts.
“Accordingly, using a mix of NAF Alpha Jet, MI 171 and Agusta 109 strike helicopters, the bombardment of the camps commenced on the evening of 2 August 2021 in liaison with ground troops forming blocking forces around the targeted areas of the forest.
“Further ISR by the air component confirmed a total abandonment of the camp by the surviving bandits.”
Ground troops during clearance operation locals in the general vicinity also confirmed an exodus of surviving bandits from the forest.
In another development, the NAF 404 Force Protection Group stationed in Kaduna, on 4 August 2021, arrested a 48-year-old bandits’ logistics runner named, Aminu Saminu, around the Kaduna International Airport.
During interrogation, the culprit revealed that he usually disguises as a charcoal businessman to purchase food and other items for bandits at Bamba Village in Igabi Local Government Area (West of Kaduna International Airport).
Useful information by the runner was availed to the Air Component that has engineered focus around the Kaduna International Airport environment and other areas with high bandits’ concentration.
